Tom Cucinotta – Executive Director
After working in the music industry for many years, Tom began to feel it was time for a change. Because he enjoyed music and kids he wondered if he could bring these interests together to make a new career himself. He tested out this idea here at Open House and he began coming to us weekly as a “music specialist.” This experience was such a resounding success he decided to go back to school for his Masters in Early Childhood Education. He then expanded his repertoire, and ended up heading up both the Pond Room and then the Meadow Room as the Lead Teacher. Tom completed his Masters at Bank Street College and says he feels “happy and relieved” to have made the change to education. Tom is pleased to now support the all the Open House staff and families as the Executive Director. He will also make time to strum his guitar and tell some stories. In his spare time he practices yoga, plays music and surfs. His “homebreak” is 91st Street in the Rockaways.
Krista Bogetich – Education Director
Krista served as the interim director of Union Temple Preschool, after a long professional and personal connection with the school. Observing the magic that happens inside the classroom inspired her to return to graduate school to get her master’s in early childhood education at Bank Street College of Education.
While working as an assistant teacher and then as a head teacher, Krista developed a love of storytelling in the classroom. She based her master’s project on using the powerful tool of storytelling to explore universal values – of showing kindness, caring for our environment, and finding courage – in an early childhood setting. Krista also worked with the preschool’s social worker to support children’s social-emotional growth through small playgroups. Krista received her bachelor’s degree in theater arts from UCLA, and, in a previous life, ran a not-for-profit theater company and worked in casting for theater, film, and television. Krista has New York State certification in early childhood education.
Carey Johnson – Operations Director
Before joining Open House full time in 2016, Carey worked as a business communications coach and a freelance fundraiser. Prior to that, she was an Open House parent (Naomi, class of 2005, and Cecilia, class of 2007) and served the school as Board Treasurer and President. And prior to that, in the Jurassic period, she taught middle school in Manhattan’s District 4. She received her MBA from NYU and her Masters in Teaching from Teachers College.
In her time off, Carey strives to parent two adolescents and sings, writes, and performs music.